Constant Definition and 1000 Threads

The molar gas constant (also known as the gas constant, universal gas constant, or ideal gas constant) is denoted by the symbol R or R. It is the molar equivalent to the Boltzmann constant, expressed in units of energy per temperature increment per mole, i.e. the pressure–volume product, rather than energy per temperature increment per particle. The constant is also a combination of the constants from Boyle's law, Charles's law, Avogadro's law, and Gay-Lussac's law. It is a physical constant that is featured in many fundamental equations in the physical sciences, such as the ideal gas law, the Arrhenius equation, and the Nernst equation.
The gas constant is the constant of proportionality that relates the energy scale in physics to the temperature scale and the scale used for amount of substance. Thus, the value of the gas constant ultimately derives from historical decisions and accidents in the setting of units of energy, temperature and amount of substance. The Boltzmann constant and the Avogadro constant were similarly determined, which separately relate energy to temperature and particle count to amount of substance.
The gas constant R is defined as the Avogadro constant NA multiplied by the Boltzmann constant k (or kB):




R
=

N


A



k
.


{\displaystyle R=N_{\rm {A}}k.}
Since the 2019 redefinition of SI base units, both NA and k are defined with exact numerical values when expressed in SI units. As a consequence, the SI value of the molar gas constant is exactly 8.31446261815324 J⋅K−1⋅mol−1.
Some have suggested that it might be appropriate to name the symbol R the Regnault constant in honour of the French chemist Henri Victor Regnault, whose accurate experimental data were used to calculate the early value of the constant. However, the origin of the letter R to represent the constant is elusive. The universal gas constant was apparently introduced independently by Clausius’ student, A.F. Horstmann (1873)
and Dmitri Mendeleev who reported it first on Sep. 12, 1874.

Using his extensive measurements of the properties of gases,

he also calculated it with high precision, within 0.3% of its modern value.

The gas constant occurs in the ideal gas law:




P
V
=
n
R
T
=
m

R


s
p
e
c
i
f
i
c



T


{\displaystyle PV=nRT=mR_{\rm {specific}}T}
where P is the absolute pressure (SI unit pascals), V is the volume of gas (SI unit cubic metres), n is the amount of gas (SI unit moles), m is the mass (SI unit kilograms) contained in V, and T is the thermodynamic temperature (SI unit kelvins). Rspecific is the mass-specific gas constant. The gas constant is expressed in the same units as are molar entropy and molar heat capacity.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. jk22

    I Nomenclature : global or constant phase

    Is the phase factor in : ##e^{i\phi}\Psi(x)## a constant or a global phase factor called ?
  2. E

    Proving time constant formulas of a capacitor using Kirchoff's laws

    the attached files are a diagram of the circuit. also I believe I figured out how to proof equation (7) but I'm lost on how to proof (8)
  3. omega_minus

    A Effective Spring Constant of a Chain Polymer

    Hi All, I'm doing research in magnetic nanoparticles that are coated with chain molecules (oleic acid, I believe) and I am trying to model these molecules' effective spring constant. The basic scenario is this: When a water-based ferrofluid is evaporated, it leaves behind only dried...
  4. S

    B Is there a thought experiment to show that the speed of light is constant?

    I know the amazing thought experiment by Albert Einstein with the two light clocks. (The observer at the train station has a light clock and the person in the train.) It's amazing because you can even deduce the formula to calculate how fast the clock in the train goes. But this experiment...
  5. T

    Java Changing the Universal Gravitational Constant: A Java Applet

    Hello folks, I am working on Java program just for fun to model an n-body problem using 3-dimension graphics. I'm looking for a way to speed up the model. Suppose for example that I decide to increase the speeds of all objects by a factor of, say, 2. To compensate, I would also increase the...
  6. S

    Measuring Agreement Between Experimental Values of Constant k

    Hello folks, Not strictly a homework question, but thought this might be the best place for it. If I determine (experimentally) two values for some constant k, is there a simple meaningful way to state their (percentage) agreement. For example, imagine I carry out two different experiments and...
  7. J

    Calculate work, frequency and Plank's constant

    i. the threshold frequency; 3.9x10^14hz? it appears the line intersects at 3.9ii. the work function of the surface; 6.626x10^-34x3.9x10^14= 2.58414 × 10^-19J iii. Planck's constant unsure
  8. P

    Lagrangian with angular velocity not constant

    Summary:: not constant spin How could I calculate the system lagrangian in function of the generalised coordinates and the conserved quantities associated to the system symmetries? I've been struggling for the case with not constant angular velocity, but I don't realize what I have to do...
  9. V

    A Closure of constant function 1 on the complex set

    I'm watching this video to which discusses how to find the domain of the self-adjoint operator for momentum on a closed interval. At moment 46:46 minutes above we consider the constant function 1 $$f:[0,2\pi] \to \mathbb{C}$$ $$f(x)=1$$ The question is that: How can we show that the...
  10. thaiqi

    I What is the meaning of constant speed of light?

    Which one does it mean: "phase velocity" or "group velocity" or "speed of the wave front"? In the postulate of constant speed of light .
  11. R

    B Meaning of "Speed of Light is Constant": Explained

    Isn't the meaning of speed, a variable of distance divided by a variable of time? Therefor isn't the meaning of a constant speed of light, a constant distance divided by a constant time? If there is any truth in this saying and there probably isn't, then what is the meaning of light constant...
  12. R

    B Constant speed between 2 objects close to the speed of light

    If i am moving away from an object at a certain constant speed close to the speed of light, is that object also moving away from me at the same constant speed?
  13. K

    I Special Relativity: Constant Speeds or More Complex GRT?

    I'm reading the online version of a book that says Rindler observer comes right into my mind when I read this. So I think the book is wrong. What do you all think? On a second guess, perhaps the author takes the view that SR is only for constant speeds in the same sense that one could say that...
  14. P

    Constant Pressure Specific Heat in terms of Entropy and Enthelpy

    If ##N## is constant (per the partial derivatives definitions/ the subscripts after the derivatives) then ##G## is constant ##H - TS = constant## Taking the derivative of both sides with respect to ##T## while holding ##N,P## constant we get the following with the use of the product rule...
  15. A

    Chemistry Constant Volume Heat of Combustion from heat capacity of calorimeter

    Q=heat capacity calorimeter*(-)change in T*moles =0.009089mol*-6.8C*4.38kj/C =-0.2707kj/mol This answer is wrong but it was the only one I could come up with right now. I just noticed units in the answer would be wrong too. Any suggestions?
  16. Vortex8380

    Mechanics problem — Car moving with constant acceleration

    I tried this but I don't know if it makes sense: Average velocity from A to B = 22/2 = 11m/s Average velocity from B to C = 104/4 = 26m/s (26-11)/6 = 3.75m/s
  17. R

    Elliptical motion: An object is moving at a constant speed?

    I am confused why the acceleration doesn't point to the center of the ellipse or one of the focus, since it moves in circular motion. Shouldn't the acceleration be just in the radial direction
  18. JD_PM

    Using Noether's theorem to get a constant of motion

    Noether's theorem tells us that an invariance of the Lagrangian yields a constant of motion. In this problem, that constant is: $$Q_v = p^a \Big( \frac{\partial q_a^{\lambda}}{\partial \lambda}\Big)_{\lambda = 0} + p^b \Big( \frac{\partial q_b^{\lambda}}{\partial \lambda}\Big)_{\lambda = 0}=...
  19. cemtu

    Classical Mechanics: Linear movement against a constant force

    I solved this question until the end of the "c)Find the distance until the boat completely stop" However I can not solve the integral I encounter in the solution of the last part of c). Would you please check for math and maybe my mistakes and tell me what to do? Here:
  20. JD_PM

    How to show that ##f_i(q_i, p_i)## is constant

    Alright my idea is that, in order to show that ##f_i(q_i, p_i)## is a constant of motion, it would suffice to show that the Hamiltonian is equal to a constant. Well, the Hamiltonian will be equal to a constant iff: $$f(q_1, q_2, ..., q_N, p_1, p_2,..., p_N) = \text{constant}$$ Which is what...
  21. B

    Constant of thermal conductivity and heat flow in a given time

    Here is the Q below I want to see if my values for part b) is okay? This is what I have tried: Any help would be nice! Thanks
  22. C

    Doubts about the method of determining the elastic constant of a spring

    Good afternoon,I am preparing a laboratory report on the study of the oscillations of a spring and the following questions have arisen:The script asks us to represent the mass against the squared period, in this case, the slope will correspond to the spring constant divided by 4Π^2 and the...
  23. Arman777

    I What is the role of voids in the Hubble tension?

    It has been proposed the Hubble tension can be solved if we assume our galaxy is located in a giant void (such as KBC). I am confused at this point. If we were living in a giant void, we should have measured the Hubble constant lower. Since when the light passes an underdense region it gets...
  24. Arman777

    I Understanding Void effects on the Hubble constant

    Its proposed that Voids can solve the Hubble Tension but later on with detailed studies its shown that, its not possible. And I am reading an online site and I saw a nice graph but I am troubling to understand it...
  25. K

    I The sum of these functions equals a constant

    If I have a sum ##f(x) + g(x) = c##, with ##c## a constant, does this imply that both ##f(x)## and ##g(x)## are also constants? If I just solve this equation for ##x##, I will find some values of ##x## which satisfy the equation. However, if I require that the equation be true for all ##x##...
  26. L

    Solving for the Damping Constant

    ##x(t)=x_m e^{\frac{-bt}{2m}}cos(ωt+φ)## Damping Factor: ##e^{\frac{-bt}{2m}}## (##b## is the damping constant) Estimated ##ω##: ##\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}## More Accurate ##ω'##: ##\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}-\frac{b^2}{4m^2}}## Also: ##T = \frac{2π}{ω}## and ##F = kx##. So, my answers: ##k = \frac{Mg}{4x}##...
  27. D

    Constant Acceleration -- Equation for Vavge

    Initially we are given the statement Vav = (x-x0)/t, so far so good. But, we encounter the following paragraph... "We can also get a second expression for Vav that is valid only when the acceleration is constant, so that the v-t graph is a straight line (as in Fig 2-14 - [I've omitted the graph...
  28. falconblade

    Changing the k constant in voltage potential equation?

    Summary:: What if you were calculating the voltage potential for a dipole, but underwater? I'm making a predictive model (in R programming) for the voltage potential at any point around a dipole. I need to be able to change parameters, one being the k constant. V=( kpcosѲ)/(r^2). Where V is...
  29. jedimath

    Is our reasoning about constant motion accurate?

    NOTE: Sorry for my english. I use Google Translate! Comparing the performance with a friend of mine who is passionate about physics (and he is studying it by himself) we came to the same conclusion. In other words, we have calculated the time taken by both riders to reach the finish line. From...
  30. B

    Photoelectrons and Planck's constant

    Attempt: I was thinking of finding the slope of the graph but I only know the values for x = 10, y = 3 and y = 0. And without the y-intercept, I don't know the work function and can't solve for h. If you can't see from the picture, the last co-ordinate is (10,3) and the x-axis is measured in f...
  31. G

    MHB When the function is not constant

    Let f1, f2: {0,1, ..., 24} → {0,1, ..., 24} be such functions that f1 (k) = k + 1 for k <24, f2 (k) = k for k <24 and f1 (24) = f2 (24) = 0. Let gi1, i2, ..., I am (k) = fi1 (fi2 (... fim (k) ...)) for i1, i2, ..., im∈ {1,2}. Find the largest m for which irrespective of the selection i1, i2...
  32. C

    I Are physical constants 'constant' axiomatically, or is there a theory?

    I can see why it would be pretty illogical to speculate that physical constants change over time, but is there more to it than just being 'illogical' to assume otherwise? Is it axiomatic in physics to presume certain physical constants are constant, because otherwise stuff like atoms and things...
  33. Arman777

    I Some questions related to the Cosmological Constant

    In Barbara Ryden's introduction to cosmology book its written that "Introducing ##\Lambda## into the Poisson's equation allows the universe to be static, if you set ##\Lambda = 4\pi G\rho##" Then later on, in the book energy density of the ##\Lambda## defined as ##\epsilon_{\Lambda} =...
  34. phyzguy

    I New measurement of the Hubble constant is consistent with the CMB value

    This paper just came out with a new measurement of the Hubble constant based on the technique of gamma ray attenuation. The result is consistent with the lower (CMB-based) value. Interestingly, they also do a joint analysis of several non-CMB techniques (BAO+BBN+SN+γ-ray attenuation), and find...
  35. M

    Kinematics Problem: constant acceleration, motion in a line

    I've been attempting to solve this problem for three days now. I have thrown away my old attempts (like, scrumpled up into the bin), but my old attempts involved: Trying to set up simultaeneous equations relating the journeys between EH and FG to find the deceleration, but the reason why this...
  36. Sabra_a

    Universal gas constant R= Cp-Cv

    In the first question should I remove the delta and put d or that doesn't make a difference and on the second question should I substitute the values of R, K, Cv and Cp or that's not required I'm not really sure how correct is my answer to the second question
  37. maistral

    Rate constant help for this reaction please

    So I was looking for some rate constants for a certain reaction and I found these: So I wanted to try them. The problem is, I have no idea how to correctly write the rate constants. Reactions number 1 to 6 is a no-brainer as it's simple Arrhenius. My problem is for rate constants 7 to 12. I...
  38. MikeyDoubleDEE

    Need to find the spring constant to achieve Max Velocity

    Hello All. I am mentoring a high school student in my area with his class project for school. He has chosen he wants to launch an object (in our case, a softball) into a 5' diameter area. The idea is to build basically an oversized slingshot using an extension spring as the source of energy. We...
  39. Adesh

    Chemistry Why do we say that the concentration of solids and liquids are constant?

    I was introduced to the concepts like molarity, molality , mole fraction, formality, normality etc. during general chemistry and it was said that these concepts are used to measure the concentration of solutions. But as the thing called Chemical Equilibrium came I was surprised when I read "In...
  40. JosephStevens99

    How do I Calculate the Spring Constant of a Piece of PVC pipe?

    Okay so, recently I got a job with my local newspaper delivering newspapers to make some money while deciding how I want to continue my educational career (I already have some college under my belt but I'm taking a semester off). All the newspapers have to be at the houses by 6 am so in order to...
  41. Like Tony Stark

    Finding the constant of this retarding force

    ##-Fr=m.a## ##-cv^2=m.a## ##-cv^2=m.\frac{dv}{dt}## ##dt=-\frac{m}{cv^2} dv## After integrating, I get ##t=\frac{m}{c.v}-\frac{m}{c.v_0}## Then, solving for ##v## we get ##v=\frac{m.v_0}{v_0.t.c+m}## ##\frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{m.v_0}{v_0.t.c+m}## After integrating that, I get an expression for...
  42. FQVBSina_Jesse

    I What does the 2.3 constant in e^Q/2.3RT come from?

    Ok, I have actually found the answer from http://www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/media/plangton/ugteach/ugindex/m1_index/med_memb/file/Nernst1.htm. Basically, a convenient way to analyze these equations is to take the log of both sides. Since e takes the natural log and the equations are...
  43. Parker Hame

    How can I create a constant flow? (not sure where to post)

    I am doing a STEM project where we need to make a timer without any chemical reactions or electricity, and I think the best way to do this is to create a constant flow for a certain amount of time and weigh how much water comes out. What is the best way to create a constant flow of water for...
  44. FEAnalyst

    Newton's law of cooling - formula for constant k

    Hi, recently I got interested with practical applications of Newton's law of cooling. Its main disadvantage is that one has to measure temperature at some point of time (other than ##t=0##) to obtain solution for any other ##t##. However I've found an online calculator...
  45. M

    What is the relationship between Helium's atomic mass and the Rydberg constant?

    I thought the ratio was purely 4, because Helium's Z = 2 (atomic mass). Apparently this is not true, and now I'm stuck... I think there must be some other form of equation for the rydberg constant that is more general, but google and wikipedia are not helping that much. Any thoughts?
  46. Like Tony Stark

    Calculating constant of elasticity of springs in a car

    When my professor solved it, he wrote ##k## in the equations. But there are four springs, so why didn't he write ##4k##?
  47. C0nstantine

    A Diffeomorphic manifolds of equal constant curvature

    Every two semi-Riemannian manifolds of the same dimension, index and constant curvature are locally isometric. If they are also diffeomorphic, are they also isometric?
  48. W

    Symmetric top with constant charge to mass ratio in a magnetic field

    Setup: Let ##\hat{\mathbf{e}}_1,\hat{\mathbf{e}}_2,\hat{\mathbf{e}}_3## be the basis of the fixed frame and ##\hat{\mathbf{e}}'_1,\hat{\mathbf{e}}'_2,\hat{\mathbf{e}}'_3## be the basis of the body frame. Furthermore, let ##\phi## be the angle of rotation about the ##\hat{\mathbf{e}}_3## axis...
Back
Top